Today, the First Family went to a cute chapel in Hawaii for Christmas service ... as the White House reporters waited.

Then, the Obamas went back to their Hawaiian vacation spot ... as the press pool waited.

But, it's not as bad as it sounds.

The White House reporters did partake in a special Christmas lunch of ... pizza. And, they do have a beautiful, yet tiny, Charlie Brown-style tree -- trimmed with just a single red ornament -- to enjoy while they wait.

And, even though there are signs all around Hawaii, welcoming the Obamas (think "E komo mai ohana Obama") ... the reporters get some love (think tourists with cameras, trying to push them out of the way so they can get a glimpse of POTUS).

We'd like to take a minute to send some happy holiday thoughts to the White House press pool and tell them that we truly appreciate them. ... Heck, we would have sent them either a candy cane or an e-card if we'd remembered. ... OK. We're done.

Now, back to the Obamas! 
  

Here are the notes we received today from the press pool:

The first family exited the chapel and the motorcade was rolling at 12:15. Arrived back in their neighborhood at 12:21. Pool is now holding at a nearby house to partake in a special Christmas lunch of ... pizza. Pool hold also has a tiny Charlie Brown-style tree, being trimmed with more than just a single red ornament. 

Spotted some onlookers on the base and along the road, plus a long line of traffic at the base entrance. Spotted a blue sign on the way onto Kailuana Place that read "E komo mai ohana Obama," welcoming the Obama family to town.

More details on the family:

FLOTUS's dress was white with an orange band around the waist and one stripe each in orange, pink and yellow around the full skirt. She was wearing orange flats. Walking to her right to her was Sasha in a dark dress with a colorful dot patter and holding a greenish-yellow sweater. The president walked to Sasha's right in his blue shirt and khakis. Malia was to his right in a white dress with white dots throughout. All three Obama women wore their hair in buns.